Word pictures for motivation, success

Most people inside prison proclaim before their release that they are never returning to prison. So why do we have recidivism approaching 80%? Something in our approach is skewed to failure and it starts with faulty thinking. Word pictures are a tool I use to correct my thinking, and I’ll be sharing many of these here with you in the weeks to come.

I, like so many who left before me, swore that I would never return to prison. While at Leavenworth FPC, and since, I know plenty of guys who also swore they’d never return who are behind bars now.

At first, it would break my heart when someone I knew went back in. But over the years I went from being broken-hearted to being mad. Not mad at the person for making another mistake – God knows I made more than enough for a lifetime – but mad because I believe most of the guys truly wanted to stay out. Maybe they didn’t have the tools needed to enjoy a successful re-entry.

That’s why my upcoming book will focus on a vital new approach to manage re-entry preparation and hopefully re-entry success. Within this upcoming book, I will offer many word pictures for success that you’ll see here. I believe they can set up you and those you care about to change your thinking and approach for greater success in rebuilding your life.

Going back again and again

Since declaring that I would never return to prison, I have, in fact, returned to prison hundreds of times. Not as an inmate, but as someone who was formerly incarcerated and was fortunate enough to not only achieve and maintain success after re-entry, but also help show others the same.

Now when I visit prisons talking about Illegal to Legal, I make it a point to try to present material that doesn’t talk at or down to people and that they feel is meaningful. Who am I to preach at someone, when I screwed up so badly in my own life? 

Everyone has their own memories of prison. One of the worst things I remember about prison is always being talked at or being told what to do. I also remember that there was so little engaging or meaningful programming.

The power of stories

Most people like stories.

Most incarcerated citizens are men, and most men are visual. I thought these Word Pictures could be a fun and memorable way to learn the principles behind each Word Picture. These convey needed skills, tools, and behaviors for re-entry success in a non-preachy way that is encouraging but not too “fluffy.” I strive to have examples that are meaningful, impactful, and memorable. 

What does it take for a formerly incarcerated citizen to achieve a successful re-entry? That answer is complex, but there are common main themes that have profound relevance.

I can tell you what it isn’t: it’s not more rules or regulations. If our recidivism rate proves anything it’s that you can’t legislate morality, or dictate that every person being released won’t go back in. It isn’t anything you can do for anyone else either, or buy for them, or give to them. 

I don’t believe there is a magic bullet for staying out, but fundamentally there is one key thing that no one is talking about that I believe is the most important factor for successful re-entry: You have to make it impossible to return.

A simple word picture of decision-making

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition to conquer the Aztex empire in when is now Mexico. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers who began the first phase of the colonization of the Americas.

Cortés is most known for his method of motivating those in his command after landing in Mexico.

Fearing his men would want to depart for nearby Cuba (and safety), Cortés went to great lengths to main a determined and focused army.

He destroyed all the ships except one, which he immediately sent back to King Charles of Spain. He and his men were stranded.

The decision would cause him personal hardships as he like his men faced powerful Aztecs without a method of escape or maneuver. In the end, despite his own financial hardship, potential mutiny and even the threat of prison for his actions, he and his men conquered the Aztec Empire.

When leaving prison you can’t look back. Burn the ships, Leave no route to the old ways because when hard times come, you’ll use them. If you can’t sail back to the past, you’ll march toward success in your future.